Turkey is in a region that has been invaded and ruled by many nations over its colourful 4000 year history because of its valuable position at the mouth of the Black Sea and direct access to lands to the north. The Egyptians, Hittites and Goths, Greeks and Persians, Romans, Arabs and Ottomans have all invaded and ruled this area at some time influencing development and adding more territory around the Mediterranean Sea with the Ottoman Empire reaching from Arabia to Gibralter by the 1500’s.
We visited another 2 historical sites today. The first was the House of the Virgin Mary; a tiny stone cottage built on the remains of Mary’s house when she lived in this region. St John the Baptist brought Mary to his home town after Christ died and she lived here until her death. Pilgrims were able to light candles and buy religious artifacts and Holy Water.
The second site was the amazing city of Ephesus; a huge and complex city which was started in the 2nd century and had fallen into ruins following earthquakes, invasions and fire. Our group started at the city gate and wandered down the marble paved streets past the remains of the markets and Roman baths, temples and fountains, the public latrines and brothels, theatres and meeting halls, houses and shops finishing at the spectacular 2 storied facade of the library which housed over 12,000 rolled papyrus scrolls. We enjoyed a brief visit to the Ephesus Museum with it’s collection of statues, artifacts and carvings unearthed at the Ephesus site before another delicious lunch of mainly vegetarian dishes.... plus a little shopping.
After lunch we visited a leather factory and were entertained with a fashion parade of beautiful leather garments…. 18/44 of the group made a purchase… not me… I had bought my little computer instead… Much more fun…. Overnight at Kusadasi…..
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